This bill directs the Secretary of State to keep and grow "women's councils" and other public-private partnerships that promote women's economic security in South and Central Asia. It requires a new Unit in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs led by a Special Advisor for Women's Economic Security with the rank and status of Ambassador. Posts the Special Advisor selects must name points of contact to track private sector commitments. The bill lists example councils such as the United States-Pakistan Women's Council, the United States-India Alliance for Women's Economic Empowerment, and the Alliance for Afghan Women's Economic Resilience. It says these activities may take place in the United States, in South and Central Asian countries, or in third countries. The Secretary must report to Congress within one year on steps taken, allocated personnel and funding, the status of partnerships, and economic data on the Unit's impact.
If you work at the State Department, the bill would create a Unit and a Special Advisor role focused on women's economic issues in South and Central Asia. U.S. businesses, universities, and civil society groups could be asked to join or expand partnerships with those councils. Women and organizations in South and Central Asia could see programs that aim to improve financial access, mentorship, asset ownership, business incubation, procurement access, education and STEM opportunities, support for the care economy, and removal of legal or social barriers.
No publicly available information. The bill requires the Secretary of State's report to include the allocated personnel and funding used to implement the Act.
The bill's findings say women's full participation drives prosperity, peace, and security. It reports low female labor force participation in parts of South and Central Asia (for example, about 33 percent in South Asia; 29.6 percent in Tajikistan; 35.9 percent in Uzbekistan) and cites estimates that gender parity could raise regional GDP by 19 to 58 percent. The bill states the Women's Councils match private sector and civil society resources to increase impact, implement a Presidential memorandum and the Women, Peace, and Security Act of 2017, and accelerate women's economic empowerment "at no cost to American taxpayers," per the bill text.
No publicly available information.